My TEAM

Having that positive mindset can be difficult at times if you find yourself surrounded by negative people, in a negative situation or environment. It takes a strong mindset to be able to face negativity and push through it. My faith relies within the goodness around me and what I have been blessed with. I have really taken sometime to appreciate and think of those positive people that I can call a TEAM.

My #1 support group is my amazing three children and husband. I live everyday to support, love and make them happy. I can have the absolute worst day turn into the best day because I am reminded that my family depends and look up to me. My husband is the most positive person that I know. He finds good in everyone and everything that he does, enjoys making others laugh and likes to have a good time. He will tell you the right thing even if it isn't what you want to hear. I love that I can talk to him about anything and that I can rely on him to cheer me up when feeling down. 

My morning workout group of ladies are reliable, dependable and strong. I look forward to seeing them twice a week at 5:30 a.m. We motivate each other during our workouts with encouragement. One gal that I call a great friend outside of our workout time, shows up ten minutes prior to class to help set up the equipment. During my maternity leave a few summers ago, she took over the class as the group instructor as well. My kids and I enjoy stopping by her work to visit with her because she lets us play with her office tools and destroy her workplace. 

In the past three years, I’ve developed some strong friendships with a few ladies in my small town community. They are honest, genuine and hard working. My parent community group of friends are amazing ladies that are willing to step out of their comfort zone to make good changes in our community. They follow through with what they say and are willing to do what’s best for our students and community regardless of the time and effort it will take to make a change. 

Growing up, my mom would continue to tell me that if there is a will then there is a way. She is amazing at lifting you up with motivating, spiritual and encouraging words. I am so grateful I had her support and love as a child. I have a relationship with her that is very comfortable. She was that person I relied on when I needed someone to talk to. I look up to this lady because she continues to work toward being the BEST person that she can be. Like my mother, my father also continues to work toward bettering himself as a person everyday. He's the most hard-working man that I know. He will easily put in an 80 hour week at work plus get all the big chores done around the house. He's the handy man and the dad that helps out with kids during my grocery shopping time. I have developed a very strong father-daughter relationship with my dad as an adult because I have learned that I am like him in so many ways.

Last week, my good friend, Jodi, called me up to visit and catch up on life. She asked the big question, “How’s life?” I told her, “Great! My family is healthy, I’m healthy, I’ve got a job and can support my family and I’m not hooked on drugs. You know... Life is good!” 

I feel like I’ve been surrounded with negativity and have found myself caught up in it at times, too. 
So, I was so thankful for this conversation with Jodi. I needed to be reminded that life is good. My family and myself are healthy and I've got some great people around that I can call a TEAM. From experience, I've learned that its easier to dedicate yourself to eating a balanced healthy diet and exercise regularly than making a change to your mindset. Don't take life for granted as you only have one life to live. Training and striving for that positive mindset will make a difference in your life, as an individual, a wife, mother, colleague and athlete. With the help, love and support from my faith and TEAM, simple positive, mindset changes is what I am currently working toward. 

"Love you, Jodi!"

I’ve known Jodi for almost 10 years. She's a friend that I call a sister. I first met her when she started attending my morning fitness classes years ago. She was about 3 months postpartum from giving birth to twins! Yes, twins! That’s how you know she’s tough. Since then, I have never seen this woman give up on anything. She's a wife, mother of five children, PA-C at a local community clinic, triathlete and all the above. When times get tough, she works harder and gets stronger. She’s inspiring and the strongest woman I know, mentally and physically. I remember in 2012, running my first half marathon as she lapped me thinking, “Geez, I want to be like her!” Yes, she was fast, but ran with pride, strength, grit and most importantly with a smile on her face. She continues to set goals and then is ready for the next. She loves what she does and encourages others to set and reach their goals, too.

A few months after my first son was born, Jodi, myself and other running sister (Marcy) slowly began meeting up for some social running. We were quite the crazy running gals. Running with headlamps and hopping over train tracks was normal for us. At the time, Jodi was training for her first Boston marathon and I tagged along. I had no idea I would be running 17 mile long runs with these gals. But, I absolutely loved it! They mentally talked me through my first long run and it was rather hilarious! It’s been over 6 years now and I cannot count how many hours of running we’ve ALL done together. What I love about running with Jodi and Marcy the most is the FREE “therapy" sessions that we give to one another. We talk about everything in LIFE. We laugh, cry and some more.

Jodi is that person that has truly been there for me at the best and worst times in my life. She's always willing to listen with open arms, support and advice. She randomly calls to visit and catch up on life. I’m so honored and thankful to have her in my life and look forward to many more great years with her. "Love you, Jodi!"

What’s your “GO TO?”

When life gets tough, I go for a RUN. This is how I cope with life. Everyone stresses at one time or another. The key to stress is learning how to recognize when it hits and finding a healthy way to cope with it. Everyone needs a “go to” when they are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or just need a break from life. But, it’s finding what works for you. It could be going for a walk, jog or run? Or something like reading a book, playing a sport, game, or working out? Whatever it is, when you find it I highly encourage you to stick with it. It’s so important to take care of yourself to be the a BEST person that you can be for others that rely, depend and look up to you. I’m so thankful that Seamus supports my running habit as it helps me deal with stress. So, it is also important that I support his hunting and playing his Clash of Clans game habit as well. He loves to hunt and enjoys playing Clash of Clans when he feels like he needs to ZONE out. "That's what he calls it." Whatever it is, I completely agree that he needs it.

I appreciate that Seamus and I work together very well as a team. We have similar values and expectations for our children, family, friends and students. However, I would be lying if I said that being married and raising children is an easy job. We both agree that its mentally healthy to be able to take a short break from one another, kids and family at times. Now, that doesn't mean completely "leave or neglect" our family. We just understand that it’s important to take a "short" time to think, debrief and rest our brain from what's currently going on in our life at that very moment. So, when and if the time is needed, I go for a run and he hunts or does some raiding on his Clash of Clans game. We don't usually ask to do it, either, we just tell each other we are doing it. We've grown to develop that type of communication over the years and I absolutely love it. 

The Running Blues

The Running Blues: Yes, it exists and I've experienced it. After running the Boston Marathon in 2016, I dealt with post-race depression. This awful experience has led me to work on speed and strength training the past two years. 

About five months before Boston, I injured myself from over training. I struggled with patella femoral syndrome and had to take time off from running to heal. During this time of rest, I began physical therapy to improve bio-mechanics and to strengthen my lower body and core. I also had to adjust to wearing foot orthotics because I had discovered that I was flat footed.

I had 12 weeks before Boston when I was ready to start training. At that time, I had set the goal to make it to the start line but with the help from my physical therapist and doctor, I was able to bounce back to my running fitness. So, I trained to break a 3 hour marathon. 

"Maybe I was overly confident?"

I didn't stick to my diet rituals the days before Boston. I was anxious, nervous but also trying to enjoy my first time, getaway trip to Boston with Seamus. The night before, I made the mistake of chowing down a full bag of Rold Gold pretzels. The morning of the race, I was feeling those pretzels. I felt dehydrated and dizzy from all the extra sodium. I only had a few hours before running 26.2 miles and I was feeling discouraged as I chugged bottles of water and made many trips to the bathroom.

I was running in 68ish degree weather from the start. I wasn't feeling that speed that I trained at. By mile 7, I had taken my first of the three porter potty breaks. Another after the half mark and the last just before the 20th mile. I spent minutes and more on the pot just looking at my Garmin watch. According to my Garmin, I spent over 12 minutes of resting, sitting time. My gut was hating me and I was challenged to push through the stomach aches and pains as well as not reaching my goal for the race. If it wasn't for my family, cheer squad back at home and the Boston community, supporters, I don't think I could have finished that race. It took lots of mental, self, positive talk to make it through this. I finished the Boston Marathon in 3 hours and 23 minutes. As soon as I ran through the finish line, I immediately sat on the sidewalk curb. From there, I don't remember much other than an older gal wheeling me to the medical tent and waking up with an IV and a few nurses beside me. 

This unforgettable experience is quite memorable. It definitely is a story to tell. It has taken time to let go of the "what if's?" during my training plan or the last days leading up to it. However, I truly believe there was a reason for this race. I have learned how to become a faster, stronger, smarter and healthier runner since then. I will continue to stick to the shorter distance for some time but plan to tackle that marathon distance in the future. That is, when I am mentally ready for it.

So, what's next?

I’ve taken sometime off from hard training the past two months. Bloomsday was my last race that I actually set a time goal for. It was an amazing experience to run with the Elite Women at this race. In fact, it was quite intimidating just because most of these women are pro runners or college athletes. And... I’m just a mom that runs for her sanity who has very little years of experience. I was also in no decent shape or an athlete in high school. So, I definitely felt out of my comfort zone and discouraged as a running competitor from the start. I truly believe I need to have more confidence in what I am capable of. Seamus says, he knows I’m a much faster runner than I currently am. That I just haven’t found my SPEED yet and once I figure it out he believes I’m going to just fly. What a husband to have such confidence in me! Those are some pretty encouraging words. After Bloomsday, I felt relieved to be done with training and quite excited to take time to rest. I worked so hard at training in the winter and early spring that I felt over-trained... On a positive note, I finished this race with a $250 prize money win! That night after the race, I looked up my final results and saw that I placed as the top 4th WA State Female. I was amazed to see my name on that list! That was unexpected. 

So, what’s next? Well, I will be competing in a Master's (30 yrs+) 5000m race at a USATF certified Track and Field Event on July 26th. So, with that in mind I will take time to really focus on building strength and improving my speed. However, I am learning that as I continue to work on speed it gets harder to cut off running time. What I would call tough running days in the past are now my easy days of running. 

Goals for the 2018 Fall Season:

1. Strength train 3 times per week.

2. Speed train 1-2 times per week with speed training drills. I absolutely LOVE doing SPEED TRAINING DRILLS! They are tough and were once a weakness of mine. I’ve grown to enjoy them.

3. 5K trial run once a month at home. From my experience, trial 5K running has helped improve my 5K speed tremendously. This is that #1 speed, key workout that I love-hate.
4. Train, eat, sleep and rest like an athlete. I need to find that inner confidence that I am an ATHLETE. I don't eat or train as hard as I do to lose weight or look good in a swimsuit. That is a great goal for some but I do it because I am working on my running performance. The end, goal result is to improve my racing times or this Running Journey of mine. I also try to be a great role model for my own children and others. Set a goal and go for it! It just takes discipline, dedication, hard work and most importantly, mental toughness. 

I'm excited for this new training plan that I have began and am looking forward to racing on a track very soon! In the past few months, I have learned that my best distance for racing is the 5K. This is the distance that I have seen the most progress in cutting time. Therefore, I am convinced that this is where I have the most potential at. I've set a long term goal for this distance and that is to someday be able to run less than 5 minute miles for 3.1 miles consistently. It will take time to get there but I believe that I can do it.

Life Changes

In the past month, life has been extra busy. My little family is going through some major life changes. But...good changes.  Seamus has made the decision to farm part-time and has accepted a 5th grade job for the upcoming school year. I'm looking forward to this because we will be working in the same building and will be on the same work schedule. Well, most of the time, except for busy farming times.
We've realized that it's important to take time to live in the moment.  So, we want to give our children the opportunity to see different places and make new experiences. Yesterday, we took our first family day trip to the Walla Walla Whitman Mission. We made great memories sharing history, taking notes and earning a Whitman Mission Ranger Badge. To finish off the trip, we spoiled ourselves with a lunch date and ice cream shop visit. We had such a great time that I am excited for the next family day trip.
 

Bloomsday Training in Progress

I've met a running goal for the year. That is goal #2: to qualify for Spokane Bloomsday Elite Seeding and start the race with the fastest runners. I am so excited to share that I will officially be running the Spokane 12K Bloomsday with the Elite pro runners on May 6th. I am definitely no pro runner but I feel honored and privileged to begin this race with them. I don't have a time goal set for Bloomsday. My goal is to make it to the start line and finish strong. Unfortunately, I injured myself at the Rapid Rabbit 5 Miler run and have been struggling with achilles tendonitis since then. The past few weeks, I have taken time to rest from intense running and have focused on recovering from this injury. Today, was my first day back to running mile repeats. My plan is to slowly build up my fitness to where I was before. I have exactly four weeks to train for Bloomsday and will be running a 10K in two weeks.